Magazine cover codes and conventions analysis

1. Identify and explain in your own words the generic codes and
conventions in these magazine covers.

2. How do we know which genre a film (or any
other media text) fits into? In other words,
how can we identify a genre?
 We can identify a genre by its codes and
conventions.

3.  Conventions: The repetition and reinforcement of normative
values. A set of characteristics, common to different media
texts, that define a genre.
 Genre: A certain type or kind, style or category.
 Codes: A system of symbols used to represent something. In
graphic language, these codes usually operate at a symbolic
level of representation (signs and symbols-connotations)

4. CODE:
Colour pink.
Conventionally is a
colour associated with
femininity. Here is
used to represent
femininity and appeal
to a female target
audience. It also
matches the soft lip
tone of the model in
the image.
CONVENTION:
The model in the cover
is a well known actress.
She appeals to a
female target audience
and portraits the main
contents of this
magazine genre:
fashion, beauty and
celebrity.
CONVENTION:
The size of the
masthead is the biggest
text in the cover. This is
because the masthead
is the name/title of the
magazine.
CONVENTION:
The model’s face is in
front of the masthead,
while this is still easily
legible
CONVENTION: The
size of the text varies
according to the
prominence of the
feature or article’s
cover line.
CODE:
Colour white conveys
innocence and purity,
two archetypical
feminine attributes.
CONVENTION: The
masthead is
conventionally
situated in the less
prominent place in theGENRE: Fashion

5. CODE: Colours such black,
white and pearl/golden
convey elegance, glamour
and luxury. The choice of
black for the background
matches the model’s dress
and hair colours.
EXAMPLE 1: CODES AND CONVENTIONS
CONVENTION:
The size of the masthead is
the biggest text in the cover.
This is because the
masthead is the name/title
of the magazine.
CONVENTION:
Natalie Portman is a famous
actress, who is modelling for
this issue of Harper’s Bazaar.
She appeals to a female
target audience and
portraits the main contents
of this magazine genre:
fashion, beauty and
celebrity.
CONVENTION: The size of
the text varies according to
the prominence of the
feature or article’s cover
line.
CODE:
The use of a serif font type
connotes a traditional,
classic conception of
formality and elegance.
GENRE: Fashion

6. CODES CONVENTIONSEXAMPLE 2: CODES AND CONVENTIONS
GENRE:

7. CONVENTIONS CODESEXAMPLE 3: CODES AND CONVENTIONS
GENRE:

8. Template for your analyses
Task:
• Using the same examples as in your graphic
elements analyses and using the templates
provided in this presentation, analyse the codes
and conventions of those three magazine covers.
• Use the same format as in the previous examples
and the following slides as a template for your
analyses.

9. CONVENTIONS CODES
YOUR MAGAZINE COVER HERE
EXAMPLE 1: CODES AND CONVENTIONS
GENRE:

10. CONVENTIONS CODES
YOUR MAGAZINE COVER HERE
EXAMPLE 2: CODES AND CONVENTIONS
GENRE:

11. CONVENTIONS CODES
YOUR MAGAZINE COVER HERE
EXAMPLE 3: CODES AND CONVENTIONS
GENRE: